ID :
314818
Fri, 01/24/2014 - 00:48
Auther :

Japan to Use ODA to Support Firms' Operations Abroad

Tokyo, Jan. 23 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Foreign Ministry plans to use the country's official development assistance to encourage more Japanese companies to launch operations overseas, such as in other Asian countries and Africa, informed sources said Thursday. The plan is part of the ministry's review of the ODA strategy in a bid to highlight Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's policy of promoting active pacifism, the sources said. The ministry also plans to revise the ODA guidelines, the sources said. Japan will mark the 60th anniversary of its ODA program in October. The government revised the guidelines in 2003 and shifted its focus to battling poverty and developing human resources. As the guidelines lack a strategy aimed at supporting Japanese companies and encouraging private-sector investment through ODA, the ministry is calling for revising the guidelines again, the sources said. One idea the ministry is considering offers a package of private-sector investment and ODA to African and other countries with the aim of expanding the scale of aid, stabilizing regions in need of help and preparing an environment conducive for investment by Japanese companies. The guidelines will be reviewed at a time when China is increasing its presence in regions such as Africa through infrastructure assistance. Some ministry officials say that Japan should consider whether its Self-Defense Forces can protect Japanese companies if they launch operations in postconflict countries, the sources said. "The ministry will study a new diplomatic strategy for ODA, an important tool for Japanese foreign policy," a senior ministry official said. END

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